Ryan Blaney has high hopes for a win in Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte
When it comes to races every NASCAR driver wants to win, look no further than this coming Sunday night's Coca-Cola 600.
The longest race on the Cup Series schedule, the 600 is also one of the sport’s oldest and most prestigious events, taking place on Memorial Day weekend right in the middle of NASCAR country at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
A win in this race would look great on any driver’s resume, but for Ryan Blaney, a win in the 600 would be the perfect way to snap a lengthy 59-race winless streak.
Blaney’s last points-paying win in Cup came at Daytona in the summer of 2021, but he’s certainly been knocking on Victory Lane’s door so far this season.
“We’ve been close a few times and have been in contention to win two of the recent races at Talladega and Dover,” Blaney said in an interview with Auto Racing Digest. “It’s not a bad start. We need to find a little more speed here and there to consistently contend for wins week in and week out. But hopefully, we’ll get there.”
Indeed, Blaney looks like he is on the cusp of winning again. He finished second at Phoenix and Talladega and has three total top 5 finishes and seven top 10 finishes in the 13 races contested so far this year. He has also yet to record a DNF in any of the races and has finished on the lead lap in all but two races this year.
Now, Blaney looks ahead to his home track, and he likes his chances.
“Obviously, the 600, that’s a crown jewel event for us,” Blaney said. “I grew up watching dad (Dave Blaney) run that race for many years in Charlotte and I’ve been fortunate to be part of it for so many years.
“It’s such a super grueling race. It’s the longest one we have. That makes for a really interesting race. It’s such a long one that you never really can count yourself out of it. You just have to stay in the hunt, make sure you can run all 600 miles and you’ll probably have a shot at it at the end of the night. The 600, that’s up there on everyone’s list of ones you want to win.”
Being such a grueling race, hydration will be extremely important for every driver looking to win. Fittingly, sports drink BODYARMOR will once again serve as Blaney’s primary sponsor in the 600.
“Since BODYARMOR has become the primary sponsor of that race the last few years, I think it’s been absolutely perfect,” Blaney said. “What a great race for them to be on our race car and promote what they do because it is such a grueling race and it takes so much out of you.
“As physically grueling as it is, it’s mentally grueling too.”
Also fitting is the fact that Blaney’s No. 12 Ford Mustang will sport a special camo paint scheme for this weekend's race. Promoting BODYARMOR’s new Cherry Lime flavor, the car will run in support of Operation Homefront, a non-profit that supports military families. In January, BODYARMOR announced a new partnership with Operation Homefront, donating $500,000 to the organization.
“I’m really excited for everyone to see the car and also to have Operation Homefront on the car too,” Blaney said. “I think that’s really cool to support those people and it’s really great what BODYARMOR has done with those folks.
"It’s an incredible race, an incredible company to be partnered with, and I can’t wait to get ready and stay hydrated throughout the race.
“As I said earlier, I was fortunate enough to grow up going to the 600 every year during Memorial Day weekend to see what NASCAR does with the families and the people who have served (in the military). It’s pretty amazing, and it’s been really humbling to meet all those folks.
“I have personally seen the car when we did our production day over the winter, and it looks fantastic. I can’t wait for everyone to see it for 600 miles. It does stand out. It’s probably going to be one of my favorite cars that we’ve ever done. I can’t wait.”
We’ll have to wait until Sunday evening to see how Blaney fares in the 600. But if he wins, it will likely be the biggest win of his career.
“I think that would definitely top the other wins that I have,” Blaney said. “It’s always hard to beat your first one but this being such a special race, I couldn’t put it below anything else I feel like. It would be really cool to do it with BODYARMOR, we’ve won with them as the primary on the car twice and this would be my favorite one if we could pull it off."
Blaney’s best finish in the Coca-Cola 600 is third in 2020. The 2023 edition of the race takes place this Sunday at 6:00 PM ET on Fox.